The muscle car war continues to rage between two of the car industry's biggest rivals—the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. Every year, these two models are compared head-to-head. Some years the Camaro is the victor, and in others, the Mustang rules supreme. The one rated as the best is a combination of every aspect of the vehicles, not just the damage that they can do on the quarter-mile drag strip.
This list has been shortened due to length requirements, so there is no particular rhyme or reason for the ones listed. It is a brief list put together to show that each year has a ruler, and each year has a car with its hood hung low. Let us see what years are the best for these adrenaline-pumping muscle cars.
11 Camaro Was Better: 1979 Z28 Vs 1979 Mustang Cobra
The beastly 1979 Z28 came with a large V8 straight from the factory. The 5.7-liter could pump out 172 hp and could leap from 0 to 60 in eight seconds flat. Along with a fast ride, the comfort levels of the Camaro are superb.
The lightweight 1979 Cobra had a couple of choices of motor available, but to be fair in this comparison the 4.9-liter V8 will be used. It was able to push out 141 hp and from a standstill could launch to 60 in 9.8 seconds. The interior was comfortable but smaller than the average muscle car of the time.
Ford’s first attempt with the Fox body style concept was a success in all senses of the word, but not good enough to beat the Camaro Z28. Top speed the Stang could catch up and overtake the Chevy, but it is, as the saying goes, “too little, too late.” Overall, the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is superior to the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra.
10 Camaro Was Better: 1995 Z28 vs 1995 Mustang SVT Cobra
The Z28 this year continued using the LT1 engine, a 5.7-liter that produced 275 hp. When it came to launching, the Chevy powered from 0 to 60 in 6.4 seconds. Automatic Slip Regulation (ASR) was offered for the first time this year, which is basically acts as a limited-slip differential.
The 1995 Mustang also continued using the same engine. The 5.0-liter was slightly redesigned for better performance. The motor could push out 240 hp and could race from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds.
The 1995 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra had less power but had better times on the track and in acceleration. The interior comfort levels were about the same, with plenty of room in them both. Overall, though, the 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is the king this year because of the price when purchasing new, and the reliability ratings collected from current owners.
9 Camaro Was Better: 2012 ZL1 vs 2012 Mustang GT500
The 2012 ZL1 was designed with power, as well as street agility. The car had great cornering abilities and braking perfection to match. The supercharged 6.2-liter engine can force out 580 hp and could top out at 180 mph. Off-the-line acceleration was 4.1 seconds from 0 to 60.
The 2012 Shelby was introduced to the public and took over the scene. The carmaker added three driving modes on the steering wheel and wrapped the racing seats in leather. It had a 5.4-liter supercharged engine that rumbled out 550 hp and could burn through the gears from a dead stop to 60 within 4.1 seconds. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 outperformed the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 in all areas. The difference in handling was significant. The drivers of the Mustang always felt one step away from going out of control, while the Camaro held the road like a boss. Overall, the 2012 pack leader is once again the Chevy.
8 Camaro Was Better: 2014 SS Vs 2014 Mustang GT
The 6.2-liter engine in this muscle car can spin out 426 horses and it could zip from a stop to 60 in 4.5 seconds. It had updated suspension to allow for smoother, quicker lap times. It also had better gearing ratios for the rear end and transmission.
The Mustang once again went with the 5.0-liter motor that put out 420 hp and could power through the 0 to 60 track in 4.8 seconds. The Mustang was not improved upon this year to give Ford the opportunity to push its aluminum trucks more heavily on the market.
In every test and race, the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE outmatched the 2012 Ford Mustang GT. It was faster, smoother, and cost less than its rival. The overall winner in the head-to-head comparison in 2014 was heavily weighted towards Chevy.
7 Camaro Was Better: 2022 ZL1 Vs 2022 GT
The ZL1 had a 6.2-liter supercharged engine that was the most powerful one to date. The motor itself put out 650Hp and shot like a rocket from 0 to 60 in a mere 3.5 seconds, achieving a top speed of 190 mph. Shifting up causes a rush forward, and downshifting causes high RPMs in preparation to launch ahead again.
--Motor-Biscuit.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
The 2022 Mustang is not too far behind with the 5.0-liter once again, but this year it lost about 10 hp from previous models. The 480 hp could pound out the pavement from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds with an overall top speed of 155 mph. The main plus for the Stang was that it had more driver-assist technology than any other muscle car in its class.
When it came to an in-depth road test the Mustang scored an 84 out of 100 points, compared to the Camaro that got an 85. The main difference that gives the Camaro the status of King of the Road for one more year is the overall score given by Consumer Reports. The 2022 Ford Mustang GT came in with a 47, and the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 came in substantially higher with a 62.
6 Mustang Was Better: 1971 Z28 vs 1971 Mach I
The 1971 Mach I was a monster among beasts. It came with the famous 429 Cobra Jet (7.0-liter) that pumped out an impressive 375 hp. It could run the strip in 14.7 seconds and could shoot from 0 to 60 in 6.4 seconds.
The 1971 Camaro came in many different models, including the Z28 which was the most powerful of the line. It had a 5.7L motor that was manufactured to produce 275hp and gain 0 to 60mph in 7 seconds.
When compared to each other the engine in the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I is substantially bigger, and had slightly better track times, than the 1971 Chevrolet Z28. Overall, in 1971 the best choice was the Mustang, which is the first year ever that it was a better choice of the two.
5 Mustang Was Better: 2001 SS vs. 2001 SVT Cobra
The 2001 Cobra is the first production year where the 4.6-liter motor produced 320 hp and could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds. The independent rear suspension solved the loose feeling that previous models had and cut off some of the weight.
The Camaro SS had a 5.7-liter LS1, which is a version found in the Corvettes that can push out 325 hp and run the quarter-mile strip in 13.8 seconds. 0 to 60 was achieved in a matter of 6.5 seconds.
The 2001 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra is faster off the line than the 2001 Chevrolet Camaro SS but slightly slower as speed increases. The new suspension gives the SVT an advantage when it comes to ride and control, which is why the Cobra is the top dog for this year.
4 Mustang Was Better: 2011 GT vs 2011 SS
The 2011 Ford Mustang GT is a combination of old styling mixed with new looks and an upgraded drivetrain and suspension system. This mix creates a muscle car that can use the 5.0L engine to accelerate from a standstill to 60mph in 4.6 seconds. Along with that, it could handle corners, S-curves, and anything else thrown at it.
The Camaro SS, on the other hand, totes a 6.2-liter but still takes 4.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 from a complete stop. It is larger than the GT even though it can still maneuver around corners effectively. The GT handles better in combined road courses and is faster in the straightaways. Overall, the 2011 Ford Mustang GT is the boss, and the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS is found wanting to be like it.
3 Mustang Was Better: 2015 GT350R vs 2015 SS
The Mustang from this point on, for the next couple of years, had a 5.2-liter engine that could push out around 526 hp. It took 4.9 seconds to zip from 0 to 60 and could reach a top speed of 173 mph. The leather seats were designed to hug and support, allowing the driver to concentrate on leaving the Camaro in the dust.
The SS came with a 6.2-liter motor that was installed in the LT1 Corvette, and it could scoot to 60 from 0 in 4.3 seconds. The weight of the car is less than its competitor, but once again its size makes it much less agile. The 2015 Ford Mustang GT350R is the king of the year over the 2015 Chevrolet SS. The GT has more top-end speed, higher horsepower, and better handling and comfort.
2 Mustang Was Better: 2019 GT vs 2019 SS
The 5.0L engine pushes out 460 hp since it was redesigned, and is perfectly mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The acceleration from 0-60 takes 4.4 seconds and is supported by a limited-slip differential and upgraded suspension.
The SS gives similar numbers with a 4.4-second acceleration from 0 to 60. It is propelled by a 455-hp 6.2-liter V8 backed by a magnetic suspension system and a matched transmission to help it scoot along. On smooth, open roads the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS performed better, but once real-world driving was presented to the pair of muscle cars the 2019 Ford Mustang GT excelled. For another year, the Mustang is the top dog between the two.
1 Final Thoughts
The one main point to remember when comparing the two is that as long as the dominance for the year shifts back and forth every now and then, both carmakers will continue to build and improve. If one ever takes over complete dominance, the other will disappear into history for good.
The battle for supremacy continues. It has been as much of a part of history as the iconic muscle cars themselves. When the total counts come in, throughout the years the Camaro has been crowned more often than the Mustang. This has not affected either car maker, though. They are in it to win it until the last car falls.